Probably most of us have heard the Proverb, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (16:18). Can you think of anyone in the Bible who experienced such a result due to pride? There was one Bible character who, after suffering first-hand the consequences of his haughty spirit, extolled the God of heaven, “all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.” Do you know who that was?
He was a great and mighty king, whose name is well-known to Bible readers. But, this king, who was so full of his “mighty power” and the “honor of [his] majesty,” was taught a life-altering lesson. Having voiced the fullness of his own greatness, “that very hour…he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws.” Whoa! I think God got his attention!
After this experience, the king proclaimed, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven…” (Dan. 4:37). Read Daniel 4. Read Proverbs 16:18. Apply it to you.